07.16.08

Taking Liberties

Liberty Leading the People -- Eugene Delacroix
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Puzzle by Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz

This crafty Wednesday crossword is prefaced with the note: The eight two-letter answers in this puzzle are all state postal abbreviations, representing (in some order) the Beaver State, Beehive State, Big Sky Country, Heart of Dixie, Pine Tree State, Show Me State, Sunflower State and Volunteer State -- resulting in OR, UT, MT, AL, ME, MO, KS and TN as identified by 62D, 56A, 20A, 11D, 63D, 6D, 47A, 27A all clued as (See note) and of absolutely no help in the solution of the puzzle.

It is unusual for crosswords to contain two-letter entries in the full grid format, and some crossword “critics” absolutely forbid same and most likely will have their arms in the air over this one. O.K., we’ll spend no time on that matter! The real bulk of the puzzle is elsewhere.

Eight 15-letter entries at the edges of this unusual crossword are the story. At the top, across -- THREEMENINABOAT (1. 1889 Jerome K. Jerome comedy novel) and HORNSOFADILEMMA (16. Undesirable alternatives). At the bottom, across -- CHOCOLATEMOUSSE (61. Dessert not for the calorie-conscious) and HONORARYDEGREES (64. Some awards for accomplishment). At the left, down -- THUMBNAILSKETCH (1D. Outline) and HORTONHEARSAWHO (2. Whence the line “A person’s a person, no matter how small”). To the right, down -- AMATTEROFCOURSE (14. Something customary) and, appropriately for the format of this crossword puzzle, TAKINGLIBERTIES (15. Pushing beyond proper limits).

A few links for the remainders, INNEREAR (22D. Superior canal locale) and STILETTO (26D. Heel style) followed by small groups with less; ROADHOG (42D. One who won’t move over); BEBOP (12D. Swing alternative); 1973 War hit “The CISCO Kid”; HOURI (59A. Beautiful woman of paradise); 50D. “God ISOUR refuge” (start of Psalm 46); PONTI (23A. Carlo who married Sophia Loren); TORRE (31D. Joe who was twice A.L. Manager of the Year); URSUS (17A. Bear, in old Rome); RURAL (38A. Like a certain route); PIET (23D. Painter Mondrian); NIN (10A "Delta of Venus" author).

I await the day for the single-space entry -- I do! I like seeing a little bending of the “rules” although conservative crossword solvers may not --aw, come on folks, after all -- rules are made to be broken!

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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.


For the complete post, go HERE.